Tampa Bay Rays

VIDEO: Paratroopers drop in to deliver ball, flag at Rays spring opener

Updated Mar. 5, 2020 1:00 a.m. ET

foxsports

The first-pitch ball used in the Tampa Bay Rays' spring opener Thursday arrived with help in the sky.

The Rays held Military Appreciation Day at Charlotte Sports Park before their game against the Baltimore Orioles, and members of the USSOCOM Parachute Team dropped into the stadium with the ball and an American flag during a pregame ceremony. They used a camera to capture the experience.

We have parachutes, folks. #Rays pic.twitter.com/Xocf127dGQ
— Andrew Astleford (@aastleford) March 5, 2015

.@USSOCOM parachuted into the park with the first pitch ball & gave Kevin Cash a baton passed around during descent. pic.twitter.com/SjwjYsJt12
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) March 5, 2015

The USSOCOM Parachute Team is no stranger to Florida venues. Members have also appeared at EverBank Field and Raymond James Stadium in the past year.

You can follow Andrew Astleford on Twitter @aastleford or email him at aastleford@gmail.com.